CrimeTop Story

Gunmen kidnap 19 bus passengers in Rivers state

546

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]unmen kidnapped 19 bus passengers  in Rivers state, police said on Friday, in the latest of a series of abductions in recent weeks.

Rivers state police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said the attack happened on Thursday and that police had so far managed to rescue 12 of the victims.

“Security operatives are still combing the bush the victims were taken into,” he told reporters.

But there have now been at least three attacks against commercial buses in the past four weeks, suggesting sustained economic hardship is making anyone a target.

The latest incident involved an 18-seater bus operated by the state-owned Rivers Mass Transit Company, which had 19 people on board, said Chukwdumebi Lucky, a colleague of the driver.

The bus was travelling from Port Harcourt to Owerri, the capital of neighbouring Imo state, when it was intercepted, he added.

Gunmen previously kidnapped 16 people from a bus on the same road on August 28.

A spokesman for the bus operator said no-one was seriously injured in the latest abduction.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

$4.5m money laundering:Three US-based Nigerians face up to 60 years in prison

Three US-based Nigerian nationals – Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos, and Emmanuel Unuigbe...

Lagos-Italy-based businessmen nabbed over illicit drug shipments to Europe, Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made another bust in...

Tinubu reveals how he almost quit 2023 presidential race amidst daunting odds

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday night shared a personal anecdote, revealing that...

First Lady, Remi, pens lovely felicitations to hubby, Pres. Tinubu @73

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has congratulated her husband, President Bola...

Skyscraper Collapses in Thailand After Powerful Earthquake Hits Region, Multiple People Trapped

A high-rise building still under construction in Bangkok collapsed after a powerful...

Tony Elumelu Named to IMF’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship, Growth

Founder and Group Chair of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has...

Just in: Reps backtrack on death penalty, immunity bills

In a stunning U-turn, the House of Representatives has reversed its stance...

Just in: Senate throws out motion to rename INEC hq after Prof. Nwosu

The Senate has rejected a proposal to rename the Independent National Electoral...

Just in: Bisola Kola-Daisi, late Oyo Gov. Ajimobi’s eldest child, 42, dies in London

Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi, 42-year-old eldest child of the late former Governor of...

Tinubu Reinforces NCDMB Governing Council with Strategic Nominees to Drive Industry Growth

President Bola Tinubu has reinforced the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board...

NASS Moves to Strip Vice Presidents, Governors, Deputies of Immunity, Bill Advances

A bill aimed at stripping the vice president, governors, and their deputies...

Natasha’s suspension: Sen. Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili Engage in Heated Exchange at Senate Committee Hearing

…you are a hooligan – Ezekwesili A Senate hearing on a fresh...

NCS seizes N125m worth of smuggled petrol in largest bust in recent times

In a significant blow to fuel smugglers, about 125,000 litres of Premium...

Just in: Judge hands off Natasha’s case, cites Akpabio’s petition

The legal battle between suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Nigerian Senate...

FCT Police Seize 488 pieces of AK-47 Rifles, Ammunition Hidden in Palm Oil Containers, Arrest Suspect

The FCT Police Command has made another significant breakthrough in its efforts...

Explosion Rocks Soku Gas Pipeline in Rivers 72 Hours After Administrator’s Security Meeting

A devastating explosion has occurred at the Soku gas pipeline along the...

Tony Elumelu Foundation Unveils $15m Grant for 3,000 Young African Entrepreneurs

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has launched a $15 million grant to...

NDLEA Seizes 72 Parcels of Heroin Disguised as Chocolates at Kano Airport, Arrests Indian National

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has achieved another major success...

Ex-Pres. Jonathan Criticizes Fubara’s Suspension, Says It Tarnishes Nigeria’s Image

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denounced President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of elected...